ARE YOU GOING TO GET ON BOARD WITH FEAT?

We are seeking to appoint new Directors to the Board as we enter an exciting phase in our 30+ year history, with our flax mill redevelopment in its final year before opening to the public and demand for our mental health services continuing to rise.

The main duties of the Directors will involve:

 To ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, for example in relation to health and safety,

employment of staff, and data protection.

 To agree the vision and strategic direction, through a business plan, an annual budget and annual accounts.

 Input to strategic aims, ensuring policies and practices are in line with aims and objectives;

 To ensure sufficient resources are available to achieve the Vision.

 To monitor the charity’s performance and progress towards achieving the Vision as outlined in the Business Plan.

 To ensure that all risks to the Company and its assets are identified and appropriate steps taken to mitigate those risks.

Board meetings will normally take place monthly, on a Monday from 5 pm with a combination of in-person (from our base in Leven), MS Teams and hybrid meetings, and typically with 10 meetings per financial year.

In addition, short task-focused sub-groups are held as and when required.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for Directors with skills in the following area(s) to complement the experience of the existing Trustees:

 Mental Health (Clinician, Psychology, Psychiatry, General Practice etc)

 Finance

 Legal

 Human Resources

 Project Management

 Performance Monitoring and Reporting

 Marketing

 Entrepreneurship

 Lived experience with mental health conditions

Board Members will support our work and shape our future plans. If you are interested in mental health/wellbeing, have good independent judgement and enjoy working in a team, we would like to hear from you. 

A level of commitment is expected from each board member and this should be considered before applying.

We welcome applications from all age groups and backgrounds. This is an exciting opportunity and the benefits of becoming board member include:

 Opportunities to learn and develop new skills in strategic leadership, governance and risk management frameworks

 Interacting with a diverse range of individuals and groups

 Enhancing your skill set and CV content

 Giving back – an opportunity to make a contribution to society

 Building networks and creating a new friend group

We are also seeking Directors with similar skill-sets for the subsidiary community interest company, to support us to operate the flax mill facility from 2026, as well as continue to maintain and develop the 27-acres of gardens and woodlands.

Please send your CV to compliance@feat.org.uk with a cover letter detailing why you think you are suitable for one of our roles

English Premier League football returned in August 2024 and we're once again running a fantasy footy fundraiser!

If you'd like to enter, send us a message to get your unique code to join our online league - entries are £5 per team and the total pot will be shared by the eventual league and cup winner and 50% to FEAT.  (Either message us here or email info@feat.org.uk)

Never played before? Read all about it at https://fantasy.premierleague.com/

Last year our league and cup was won by the same team and they shared a prize pot with us of £160 - the more entrants, the bigger the pot, so please join in and share with your friends - no previous experience required!

Even though the season is underway you can still join in!

We are pleased to report that several FEAT service users and volunteers have been benefitting from a free break in our eco-pods at Silverburn Park during 2023 and into 2024 thanks to funding from Crown Estate Scotland and the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund (Adults).

Stays of between 1 and 3 nights have been organised, with a meal from the Cottage Window Café also thrown in to help those with mental health conditions have a break from the norm and a chance to relax and boost their wellbeing.

We hope to extend this scheme during 2024 and will post updates here should further free booking opportunities become available

We are pleased to announce that a start date has been confirmed to begin the transformative works to Silverburn Park’s B-listed former flax mill.

Having taken on responsibility for managing Silverburn Park in recent years, signing a long-term lease from the local Council in 2017 and since establishing successful enterprising activities including The Cottage Window Café and award-winning Silverburn Park Campsite. The organisation also host a variety of events each year, with the recent Silverburn Festival attracting over 500 revellers and over 20 artists.

FEAT took on the challenge of rejuvenating the Park as a means to provide new opportunities to their client group to gain skills and benefit from being in nature to support mental health and wellbeing improvements and ultimately as an income generator to reduce their reliance on grant funding and donations for their core work.

However, years of planning and feasibility studies identified renovating the flax mill and utilising it as a new visitor attraction for the area including a café/restaurant, backpackers hostel, artist studios, a retail shop and flexible space – as well as dedicated community-use space, was the best plan to generate income, as well as opportunities for training and employment and provide a wider economic boost to the area.

Thanks to funding from a range of sources, FEAT were able to go to tender earlier this year to secure a contractor to take on the complex task of restoration, however in the period between securing the target level of funding and the actual tenders being compiled, the cost of living crisis and effects of the war in the Ukraine added nearly £2m on to the estimated total and the prospect of work getting under way was at threat.

Duncan Mitchell, CEO of FEAT, explains, “Having raised millions of pounds and hitting our target, it was really gut-wrenching to discover we were still around £2m short when the tenders came in. We only had 90 days from tender returns to secure the most effective contract and therefore limited time to raise the additional funds needed. However, we have been blown away by the support of the main funders for the project, who have all uplifted their grant awards to collectively close that gap and ensure that works can go ahead, with a start date of August 2023.

Those funders, National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, The Scottish Government, Fife Council and Historic Environment Scotland came up with grant increases at very short notice and this demonstrates their support and desire to see the flax mill transformed.

Caroline Clark, Director of National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland said:
"We are thrilled to see this project progressing to the next phase of delivery, thanks to the support of National Lottery players. The restoration of the flax mill will not only preserve this significant building but also bring valuable skills development and economic opportunities to the local communities of Leven. It is a testament to the power of heritage and its ability to transform lives. We look forward to seeing its positive impact on the area."

Alongside the actual construction works, there is an ongoing programme of heritage activities to engage Park visitors in the rich industrial history of the mill, the wider Park and also the social history which is a fascinating story, the Park and buildings having been gifted to the People of Levenmouth in 1973 by the Russell Family who owned the estate previously and indeed operated the flax mill during the 1850s.

Duncan adds, “When we took this challenge on, we didn’t really appreciate the enormity of it but supported by a wonderful team including Fife Historic Buildings Trust, Sinclair Watt Architects and various services of Fife Council, we’ve made it to this stage – which trust me, felt unlikely to happen on many occasions over the years.”

Clark Contracts have secured the contract to renovate the Mill, with works set to complete in March 2026.  Michael Scanlan, Director at Clark Contracts, added, “It has been a fantastic effort by everyone involved at FEAT in getting this major restoration project to this stage. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with them and the wider stakeholders over the next couple of years to create a world-class visitor centre and community space.”

Christine May, Chair of Fife Historic Buildings Trust, said “We are so excited that work will now begin on site at the flax mill. It’s a privilege to be part of the team working with FEAT in their vision to conserve and develop this unique B-listed building. The support of all the funders and the work of the dedicated design team has been invaluable. We look forward to seeing the flax mill open to the public for local people and visitors to enjoy at the heart of Silverburn Park.”

Duncan continues, “Having secured a total of funds in the region of £10,000,000 for this project, it has been a fundraising campaign like no other we’ve seen from a local charity and I am so proud to have played a part. I also recognise that despite reaching this total, more money may yet be needed as we know from other similar projects that historic buildings can have many secrets and there will, I’m sure, be unforeseen, and currently uncosted, works that will be required over the coming years, so a gentle reminder to everyone that our crowdfunding campaign is still open and every penny we can raise will help to cover all eventualities ahead.”

Finally, Duncan remembered the enormous impact that former trustee Brian Robertson had on getting FEAT to this stage, “Brian volunteered with us for around 7 years and put in hours of work supporting with the development of plans for the flax mill. Without his input, we’d still be in the planning stage and we can never forget this – the mill’s restoration in no small part is due to his efforts.”

“Brian passed away in February 2023 before the confirmation of the contract with Clarks and it is so sad to think he won’t see the final result of his countless hours of volunteering being realised. Everyone at FEAT has that extra determination though to make sure the building does open in 2026 and be a lasting legacy and memorial to him”

Further information about the Park, the flax mill project and FEAT’s core mental health activities are available at www.silverburnpark.co.uk including a virtual tour of the mill, narrated by Brian Robertson.

FEAT appreciate the support of a wide number of funders and individual donations that have supported this development, notably:
National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland
The Scottish Government – Regeneration Capital Grant Fund
Fife Council
Historic Environment Scotland
Levenmouth Reconnected Programme
UK Government Community Ownership Fund
The Robertson Trust
The Wolfson Foundation
The Swire Charitable Trust
The Hugh Fraser Foundation
The Community, thanks to crowdfunding and donations

Employ your Mind was a ground-breaking project established in 2012 and has supported hundreds of individuals with severe mental health issues to better self-manage their conditions and reach their own outcomes in life - be that employment, training/education, volunteering or engaging in community activities.

Sadly from April 2023 the project will no longer be running as we take some time out to review the provision and adapt it for the future.

Cognitive remediation therapy was a key element of the programme, however CRT will continue to be available to participants on the Fife Individual Placement & Support Service.

Huge thanks to all the staff over the years who have delivered Employ your Mind, and its spin-off programme "Grow your Mind" - and watch this space for news about future services to fill this gap.

We have been working with veterans experiencing mental health conditions over the past few years and our current programme focusing on this group "Grow your Mind" is proving to be incredibly effective.

Veterans are undertaking a wide range of conservation and horticultural activities in our base at Silverburn Park and several are now independently volunteering with us, managing veg allotments.

The programme is part-funded by the Veterans' Foundation - the Foundation funds a wide range of projects for our heroes in need and one way they raise funds to support these causes is through their Veterans' Lottery.

For just £10 per month you can sign up to the Lottery and play your part in helping veterans across the UK - if you sign up using this link, the Foundation will also give us an extra donation!  On top of all that, signing up gives you the chance to win up to £50,000 tax free!

Good luck and thanks for your support!

Earlier this year Ayanay Psychological Accreditation (APA) launched the new Ethical & Psychological 20:20 Vision Awards. These have been designed to recognise and celebrate the phenomenal work being done to tackle the EPIC challenges, associated with Mental Health in the UK. 

APA is dedicated to supporting all professionals that work in and around the world of psychology.  (Whether they are Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Coaches, Social workers, Youth Workers, Mental Health Practitioners etc.)

The response to an epic challenge must be just as epic. Their Awards focus on those organisations, charities, and individuals that Elevate Provide, Improve, Create solutions for positive Mental Heath in specific areas.

• Mental Health in the Workplace
• Contribution Award
• Youth Engagement
• Psychological Education

We are delighted to confirm that following receipt of a nomination for a Contribution Award, a nomination that, not only reflects Fife Employment Access Trust's dedication and professional commitment, to supporting those in need and the wider community, but also acknowledges the collaborative approach of the our partnerships, the team at APA have recognised our collective impact.

Dave Sleet, Managing Director of APA says, "Going above and beyond for those you engage with, be that Clients, Volunteers, the Public, or Fellow Professionals. Providing a safe and constant support that not only elevates positive communication, improves long-term outcomes and creates a mental health resilience that will empower clients to achieve a life long understanding of their full potential. APA is therefore delighted to award Fife Employment Access Trust and Partners an Ethical & Psychological Contribution Award."

On the 1st October 2021 all award winners will be entered into a Public vote with the winners in each category receiving the Annual 20:20 Vision Award. The public vote is the only vote of its kind in the UK, that promotes the examples of best practice, so that others may be inspired to respond in their own EPIC way to the world of Mental Health.  

Our staff member and former service-user, William, is featured within an inspiring evening of short documentaries on Tuesday 25th May 2021.

William's story (Stolen Years) is summarised in a film on our homepage, however this extended version by filmmaker Jeremiah Quinn was selected by Shorts on Tap to feature in a hard-hitting online event.

It's free to register and see all six short documentaries by visiting Shorts on Tap, and there is a bonus opportunity to take part in a Q&A session after the airing with William and Jeremiah.

It's a must-see film, hope you can make it!

We are celebrating success in 2019, having been shortlisted for two prestigious awards, locally and nationally.

We are a finalist in the Centre for Social Justice Awards (Work Category) and also the Fife Business Awards (Innovation) category, with both holding their ceremonies during March 2019 when we'll learn our fate.

This follows the success of two staff members in December 2018 who took prizes in the Fife Business Diversity Awards for overcoming barriers and successfully gaining and holding down employment with us.  Arran Ritchie took the Bronze Award and Catherine Grubb won Gold at the ceremony - huge congratulations to them both!

The Centre for Social Justice Award ceremony takes place on March 5th in London.  The CSJ Awards is an annual, high profile award ceremony that honours the best grassroot, poverty-fighting charities and social enterprises from across Britain. Five winners will receive a £10,000 grant and be profiled in front of hundreds of leading figures from across the country and we're excited to be a part of it this year.

The Fife Business Awards ceremony takes place on 29th March and will hosted by well-known personality Fred McAuley.  We are in the running for an award for our excellence in creativity and innovation.

To win either of these awards will be difficult - we're up against stiff competition indeed, however this is a great way to celebrate our 25th Anniversary whatever the result!